Brisbane Lions' Josh Schache set to be dropped, Lions resigned to losing himSam McClure
The Age
18 May 2017 Highly touted Brisbane forward Josh Schache is set to be dropped for Saturday night's clash with Adelaide, with the club believing the constant speculation surrounding his future is affecting his form.
His pending omission comes along with revelations that Richmond have met Schache's management, as the Tigers step up their pursuit of the star teenager.
The Lions are now privately resigned to losing a player they invested heavily in, taking him at pick No. 2 in a national draft held less than 18 months ago.
Fairfax Media understands that senior officials, including coach Chris Fagan and head of football David Noble, believe Schache's form has been affected by constant speculation over him returning home to Victoria.
Schache is out of contract at the end of the year and has held off negotiations with Brisbane, despite the Lions' repeated attempts to offer him a long-term deal.
The Tigers are the only club to have met specifically about Schache, with Carlton and Collingwood, who have previously been linked to him, still monitoring the situation.
GM of football talent Dan Richardson confirmed to Fairfax Media that the Tigers have made their intentions known.
"We've met with [Schache manager] David [Trotter] but we haven't met with the player directly, nor do we think that's appropriate at this time of year, but we are monitoring the situation as it unfolds," Richardson said. "There is no offer on the table."
While the Tigers and Schache's management are adamant an offer is yet to be tabled, the fact they have met about him less than halfway into the season has angered Brisbane.
If Schache does leave Brisbane at season's end, he would be the latest on a growing list of highly rated players to leave the Lions, a problem that continues to plague the embattled club.
Sam Docherty, Jared Polec and Elliott Yeo all left in the space of two days in 2013 and are now playing starring roles for their new clubs.
James Aish came fourth in the 2014 Rising Star award behind Lewis Taylor, Marcus Bontempelli and Luke McDonald and then struggled in 2015 amid talk he was considering a move to Victoria, before ultimately moving to his preferred destination of Collingwood.
Players leaving Queensland clubs – particularly Brisbane – have become such a problem that part of the new CBA negotiations included a push from the AFL that first round draft picks should be forced to spend at least three years at their initial club, instead of the current two.
Brisbane triple premiership coach Leigh Matthews recently referred to the Lions as a "pit stop club" on 3AW while watching Docherty put in another dominant display in the Blues' round seven win over Collingwood at the MCG.
The comment did not go down well at AFL headquarters, and was mentioned when league chief Gillon McLachlan flew to Queensland last week to meet the Lions and the state government over the club's proposed new facility.
McDonald Sports and Talent Management on Wednesday denied reports that Schache will be providing the Lions with a decision whether he'll stay or go during the bye period in two weeks.
Trotter will be having a one-on-one meeting with Schache during the period but a decision on the player's future is more likely to be towards the end of the season.
In his 23 AFL games, Schache has kicked 22 goals, including six this year. He's yet to kick more than two goals in a game.
He was quiet on the weekend, collecting just eight disposals and three marks against Hawthorn in a game where he failed to hit the scoreboard.
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